New Boxster GTS options and advice

New Boxster GTS options and advice

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Discussion

Chunk49

Original Poster:

353 posts

149 months

Tuesday 15th July 2014
quotequote all
Hi all

A colleague of mine is looking at buying a brand new Boxster GTS. He wants some advice as to which options to go for and also a couple of bits of more general advice. I said I know just the place to come for that advice. Thanks for all your help in advance.

This is his current spec: http://www.porsche-code.com/PF2SADW7

GENERAL SPEC QUESTIONS

- What is the consensus on the spec he has chosen:

- Are there any must haves which are missing?

- Are there any pointless options which he can cull?

SPECIFIC SPEC QUESTIONS

- the audio options soon add up - what would you see as must haves and can live withouts in this section?
- Does the cruise control come with a speed limiter, or is it purely and simply a set speed jobbie? I find the speed limiter in my BMW really useful for average speed cameras, not sure it’s worth paying for cruise control if there’s no limiter

- Heated multifunction steering wheel – any reason why not? Most people seem to prefer the SportDesign one

- Nav or no nav - he know's it's not great but he also knows it will help come re-sale

- Which trim, assuming I want to upgrade from the standard plastic? Mrs doesn’t like the GTS interior package


DISCOUNT QUESTIONS


- How hard I should push for a discount on the extras? Given that I’m spending a lot on extras. He knows a discount on the car itself may be difficult.




Edited by Chunk49 on Tuesday 15th July 10:44

Chunk49

Original Poster:

353 posts

149 months

Tuesday 15th July 2014
quotequote all
Hi all

A colleague of mine is looking at buying a brand new Boxster GTS. He wants some advice as to which options to go for and also a couple of bits of more general advice. I said I know just the place to come for that advice. Thanks for all your help in advance.

This is his current spec: http://www.porsche-code.com/PF2SADW7

GENERAL SPEC QUESTIONS

- What is the consensus on the spec he has chosen:

- Are there any must haves which are missing?

- Are there any pointless options which he can cull?

SPECIFIC SPEC QUESTIONS

- Does the cruise control come with a speed limiter, or is it purely and simply a set speed jobbie? I find the speed limiter in my BMW really useful for average speed cameras, not sure it’s worth paying for cruise control if there’s no limiter

- Heated multifunction steering wheel – any reason why not? Most people seem to prefer the SportDesign one

- Nav or no nav - he know's it's not great but he also knows it will help come re-sale

- Which trim, assuming I want to upgrade from the standard plastic? Mrs doesn’t like the GTS interior package


DISCOUNT QUESTIONS


- How hard I should push for a discount on the extras? Given that I’m spending a lot on extras. He knows a discount on the car itself may be difficult.




Edited by Chunk49 on Wednesday 16th July 09:49

Chunk49

Original Poster:

353 posts

149 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Bump. Can anyone offer any input for my colleage? Thanks for your help.

Moog72

1,598 posts

176 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Here's my input based on my experience with my Boxster S as opposed to the GTS

You don't mention what you intend to use the car for (daily all weathers, or weekend / occasional blast) and that does make a difference to how you'd spec up a car

Steering wheel - people go for the Sport Design wheel for two main reasons. 1) It looks much better and 2) in conjunction with PDK, you get the paddles behind the wheel that you don't with the others

I'd spec the Sport Design and do away with multi-function and wheel heating

Cruise control - simple set speed system, there is no limiter function

Reversing camera - probably overkill on a Boxster, Park Assist front and rear should suffice

Nav or no nav - get it, PCM that is. People slag it off as overpriced and crap and whilst it might be expensive when compared to a stick on Tom Tom, it's not crap IMO, it works well and is much more than just a nav unit

Bose - divided opinion on this one, but I have it and find it's great

Better interior - I think you have to spec "full leather interior" to remove most of the plastic trim

Hope that helps a little

Moog72

1,598 posts

176 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Oh, I forgot one of the things I'm really pleased I put on mine - Sports Exhaust (PSE) - must have IMO, unless that's standard fit on the GTS, I'm not well up on the base spec

PASM I'd have again, unless that is standard

paralla

3,528 posts

134 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Cruise is just normal cruise control, no limiter unless you go for Adaptive Cruise Control.

Multi function wheel has push/pull buttons for gear changes, people generally prefer the Sport Design wheel with PDK which gives you paddles behind the wheel rather than buttons on it.


Chunk49

Original Poster:

353 posts

149 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Car is for weekend fun

thanks for your reponses. Keep em coming

Edited by Chunk49 on Wednesday 16th July 10:55

Koln-RS

3,848 posts

211 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Chunk49 said:
Car is for weekend fun
Personally, I see the GTS models as fundamentally 'sporting' - with the primary function of engaging the driver, so I would only be adding options that enhanced the driving (OK, + Heated Seats and Cruise wink )

first and foremost I would definitely go for the manual box. It's a gem on the 981s and much more satisfying than PDK on a car of this nature.

I guess a lot of GTSs will be spec'd for comfort and luxury, maybe that's now the Porsche market, but I can't help feeling it should be light and simple.


Chunk49

Original Poster:

353 posts

149 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Koln-RS said:
Chunk49 said:
Car is for weekend fun
Personally, I see the GTS models as fundamentally 'sporting' - with the primary function of engaging the driver, so I would only be adding options that enhanced the driving (OK, + Heated Seats and Cruise wink )

first and foremost I would definitely go for the manual box. It's a gem on the 981s and much more satisfying than PDK on a car of this nature.

I guess a lot of GTSs will be spec'd for comfort and luxury, maybe that's now the Porsche market, but I can't help feeling it should be light and simple.
Personally I completely agree with you and this should be what sets the GTS apart from the "S". But this is my colleague's first Porsche and he is not going to be tracking it or anything like that so he does not want it too hardcore. I think that is now the Porsche market. Obviously those frequenting forums tend to be a bit more hardcore about it. Most people would probably see the GT4 / a new Spyder model as the one for the hardcore enthusiast rather than the GTS. From Porsche's point of view, I imagine that they are happier the more models / mini-segments they can cover (and therefore more cars they can sell) on the same platform/cost base.

Koln-RS

3,848 posts

211 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
It's true. Porsche is now a high volume manufacturer with a mainstream customer base, and buyers are often more interested in the colour options, audio upgrades and design details than the ultimate driving experience. Auto (PDK) has usurped the lovely manual gearboxes.

It's partly why there has been such a revival in demand for the best 'aircooled' models, from those who still want cars with analogue controls.

Edited by Koln-RS on Wednesday 16th July 14:33

sboast90

7 posts

120 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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I would get the GTS exterior pack with that colour and those wheels

mrdemon

21,146 posts

264 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
Chunk49 said:
Car is for weekend fun

thanks for your reponses. Keep em coming

Edited by Chunk49 on Wednesday 16th July 10:55
manual, buckets and x73 shocks then for weekend fun, no question..... any thing else is gay :-p

toohuge

3,429 posts

215 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
I'd spec the sport steering wheel and also the extended leather.

I wouldn't spend the extra for the painted wheels, I don't think they will age too well.

Chris

av185

18,432 posts

126 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
I would forget about speccing Bose.....its shicensored and always has been especially having regard to its extra cost....yes

Most 911s I have owned and my new loaner Cayman S PDK has Bose, and with PSE like the GTS, it is particularly superfluous.......


av185

18,432 posts

126 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
Forgot to mention I would also spec leather....at least the dash and door cappings.....the standard placcy finish just doesnt cut it in a car approaching £60k and you will retain the cost on resale. Alcantara I feel is more personal...but if full leather is specced that will not harm residual value and could actually improve it as there will be fewer cars with it......yes

Beaver

958 posts

283 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
I'm using a Boxster S that my OPC has loaned me whilst my Carrera GTS is sorted out.
I've driven a few in the past, all PDK.

This one, however is a manual (Boxster S).

Sooo much better than PDK, car is transformed.
So much so I thought I'd look at a prospective spec for a Boxster GTS.
Turns out it's pretty much as MrDemon would have (manual, sports chassis, buckets).

http://www.porsche-code.com/PFSWWLJ0

Certainly has me thinking..


Budweiser

1,068 posts

183 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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The folding mirrors are worth a thought. I'm pleased I specified them even if that makes me gay (Mr D you can be such a dick) ha ha ....

RBD914

26 posts

142 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
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PCM, Climate control and a Manual GearBox, plus full extended leather to seats, dash and doors.

Then there's the exterior colour, 1. GT Silver 2. Red 3. White, are my order of preference!

One last thing, please please please don't specify black painted wheels - I never understood this craze, why would you want to disguise your sexy big 20 inch alloys as black plastic dustbin lids?!

Try the PDK before you buy, OPC will extol it's virtues, but I felt strangely detached from the action - "Just change manually using the paddles then sir" the salesman said - if I'm going to do that, I'll save £2,000 and buy a bloody manual then!

Seriously though, even if the manual was more expensive I would still go manual, auto boxes are for executive cruisers and have no place in a sports car - in my opinion!

Hope this helps!

paralla

3,528 posts

134 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
I have a Cayman S and I thought I would shed some light on what options are gay and why. This is straight from the horse’s mouth. I'm a card carrying, rainbow flag waiving gay. In order that they appead on the configurator:-

ParkAssist front and rear. Obviously gays can't park.
Smoked taillights. So they match the satin platinum wheels. It’s a black and white theme.
Electric folding outside mirrors. Anything that moves with electric motors is a good thing.
Automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor. Gays have better things to do than bother with the wiper stalk.
Power steering Plus. This helps with our limp wrists.
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). So we don't have to change gears ourselves, it's not bloody Eastern Europe!
20-inch Carrera S wheel. Because they are pretty.
Wheels painted in satin platinum. Gays can't resist anything satin.
Seat heating. No price is too high for a toasty tush.
Light design package. As lighting concepts go it's not much but probably better than standard. Gays LOVE good lighting.
Cruise control. So we don't have to bother with the pesky accelerator pedal more than nescessary.
Guards Red seat belts. Because we loved the 80's.
White instrument dials. Because the standard black and grey of an S's dials is a bit of a fashion faux pas.
Adaptive sports seats Plus, electrical (18-way) with memory package. Anything that moves with electric motors is good. The electric steering colum moves up out of the way which makes getting out of the car so much more graceful in heels.
Porsche crest embossed on head restraints. This breaks up the big flat expanse of plain leather a bit. Don’t question us.
SportDesign steering wheel. It’s nice and shiny and the paddles make me feel like James Hunt even though I'm fully aware he pre dates paddle shift F1 cars. I just like thinking about James Hunt, OK.
Door sill guards in stainless steel. Shiny. Big debate about backlit sills which were finally rejected because they have Essex nightclub overtones.
Footrest in aluminium. Shiny.
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) incl navigation module with universal audio interface. Reading a map is so 90's.
Telephone module. The nice man at the dealer said I needed this, I just batted my eyelashes and said OK.
Digital radio. Because one day and FM radio will be as outdated as an 8 track or cassette player.
Burmester® High-End Surround Sound System. I need decent sounds to do justice to me extensive collection of early disco.

A couple of things I didn't get but wish I did. PSE for the extra button on the console and dual zone climate control because I wrongly assumed single zone climate control would be standard. Hotter/cooler of the standard system isn't specific enough. I need details.

Actus Reus

4,229 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
^ that may be the best post in the Porsche section ever.

To be honest though, if it's not ever going to be tracked, and he wants his first Porsche, perhaps a normal 'S', lightly used, might be better and somewhat cheaper? Saw a Cayman GTS on Swiss plates on Bishopsgate yesterday - it looked the business I must say.

Only other thing I'd add is that Porsche sounds systems are not the best - don't waste too much on them - sound package plus would do me I suspect. PCM will help come resale, but they won't give you much more for it - I'd be tempted to have it as I missed it in my first 987S and it is handy from time-to-time - depends really how long they're going to keep the car.

Oh, and defo manual - with the SSK.